Slow FEL Lifting Action

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

This weekend, both SWMBO ("she who must be obeyed" <G>) and I noticed that the FEL on our BX-22 is lifting very slowly. The last time out a couple of weeks ago, it worked just peachy moving that 22" of snow we had. Today...well, it was a little frustrating when she was turning the compost pile! It goes "down" fine and the bucket tilt is operating normally. The 3pt seemed fine, too.

Any suggestions from you more experienced folks??

Bird · Mar 17, 2003

You weren't running the engine at a lower rpm this time, were you? That's just one thing that can make it slower.

bellweather · Mar 17, 2003

check that the hydraulic lever is in the neutral (center) position. it's supposed to move back to the neutral position on its own, but sometimes it hangs up.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

No, engine speed was not at issue...everything normal there. This is a pronounced and noticable slowdown of the lifting action of the whole FEL...almost like another valve is open somewhere, but I haven't found anything amiss.

techman · Mar 17, 2003

jbecker:

Most common cause is a quick disconnect not mated properly. If you just remounted the FEL or did some other work on it you may have bumped a disconnect. Make sure that they are all fully seated. I have experienced having high pressure in one or more, and when you push them together, they seem to be bottomed out, but are actually stopping against internal high pressure. Move the levers all around with the engine off to try to relieve pressure and check all connections.

Paul

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

Problem Identified

All the hoses are just peachy, but the valve control is not. It has almost no motion in the direction necessary to lift the FEL...it's practically bottomed out in neutral. Unfortunately, I didn't look that closely at it when I noticed the problem yesterday.

I'll have to call the dealer tomorrow to arrange for a "remedy". That's what warranties are for!!

Thanks all for your comments...I do know my hydraulic system's nooks and cranny's much better now! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

chocolatehauler · Mar 18, 2003

Re: Problem Identified

I have bumped my three point lever several times and had it not come back to center and that will slow every thing down.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 18, 2003

Re: Problem Identified

Yea, that was the first thing I looked for. But the FEL control is definitely messed up. Calling the dealer "as we speak"...

Anonymous Poster · Mar 18, 2003

Fixed

The problem was that the jamb nut on the control worked its way loose, thus moving the "center" postion back towards the driver. Good as new now!!

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That being said, I have to put a huge plug in for my dealer, Mid-State in Titusville NJ. I called them at about 9:15a to request their assistance. The service manager said he believed that the service truck was in my area and that he would contact the technician to see if he had time to stop by today. Five minutes later, he called back and said that I'd get a visit that morning. The tech was there at 10am and had the problem diagnosed quickly and fixed. He then proceeded to lube EVERY single piece of equipment I had...gratis, since it was my first service call. He spent an hour and a half with me going over this and that...and he didn't have to do that.

I don't feel so bad about saving two grand by buying from Mid-State this time around...